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In August we will be placing my parents ashes in a columbarium with the ceremony due to my father having serviced in WW2. It brings to mind a scene in one of Jayne Castle's Ghost Hunters series. No, I'm not sure which one but I've been caught in the clutches of After Glow.
http://blog.themuseumofjoy.org/2012/04/c-is-for-chapel-of-chimes.html
The Chapel of the Chimes is a columbarium, which is a lovely, lilting word for a place where dead people's ashes are stored.
It is a fairly unprepossessing pinkish building on the outside, vaguely Spanish Mission to my uneducated-about-anything-but-Julia's-style eyes, but within -- within it is a series of linked chapels made of lacy stone and light, filled with tiny gardens and shelves and shelves of glass boxes in which bronze-colored books and jars hold the last tangible remains of somebody's loved ones. The fact that so many of the repositories are book-shaped underscores, for me, the strange aura of being in a mystical house of worship dedicated not to the spirit of God but to the spirit of books. It is possible to wander for hours in this place; you can see a little chapel with an enticing stained-glass window, walk straight toward it, and find yourself somewhere else altogether. Like any place with that kind of subtly shifting geometry, there is an air of mystery, of being suspended somewhere on the borders between things, in a place where the veil grows thin.
http://blog.themuseumofjoy.org/2012/04/c-is-for-chapel-of-chimes.html
The Chapel of the Chimes is a columbarium, which is a lovely, lilting word for a place where dead people's ashes are stored.
It is a fairly unprepossessing pinkish building on the outside, vaguely Spanish Mission to my uneducated-about-anything-but-Julia's-style eyes, but within -- within it is a series of linked chapels made of lacy stone and light, filled with tiny gardens and shelves and shelves of glass boxes in which bronze-colored books and jars hold the last tangible remains of somebody's loved ones. The fact that so many of the repositories are book-shaped underscores, for me, the strange aura of being in a mystical house of worship dedicated not to the spirit of God but to the spirit of books. It is possible to wander for hours in this place; you can see a little chapel with an enticing stained-glass window, walk straight toward it, and find yourself somewhere else altogether. Like any place with that kind of subtly shifting geometry, there is an air of mystery, of being suspended somewhere on the borders between things, in a place where the veil grows thin.
Young Minds
Nov. 14th, 2017 08:39 pmGrandchild is 3. Daughter sent me text message re Grandchild conversation:
"My other grandpa has no hair. He needs hair. We should get him some."
This makes me wonder if they are doing early Christmas shopping brainstorming.
I am afraid.
"My other grandpa has no hair. He needs hair. We should get him some."
This makes me wonder if they are doing early Christmas shopping brainstorming.
I am afraid.
6:08 this morning. RIP Momma.
Title: When a Child has been Sick
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 249
“He’s looking better,” Manc commented watching their son outside on the lawn in the growing darkness of dusk. “Good thing none of them are of the fae .”
“Amazing what a good season with rain will do to the insect population, isn’t it?” Allen responded. There was a gasp, “Are Lightning Bugs poisonous?” “Didn’t know he jump that high,” was said with awe.
“Well he is my son.”
“I’m going to get a glass jar. It’ll be interesting for him to see a Lightning Bug up close.”
Manc looked at Allen, “Like eating one isn’t up close….”
“Hush you.”
2 Lightning Bugs were captured. An event ignored by their son who was more intent on his own fun.
“You should really let them go soon. They’re out there to mate and produce the next generation.
You’re impeding next year’s Lightning Bug population.”
“Uhmmm. Too late.” Allen said looking into the jar.
“What?” Manc eyed his husband anxiously doubting his sanity.
“They’re.. um.. already attached.”
“You mean of all the Lightning Bugs in the backyard, you caught two compatible bugs who decided to mate with each other?”
“Yep,”
“Ooooookay.”
From inside the jar, “Oh baby, yes just like that,” had Manc and Allen look shocked at the jar and then each other.
“Wait a bit but put them outside before our kitten comes back in. I don’t think I’m ready to explain the facts of procreation yet.”
Allen glanced at Manc’s tummy and grinned. “We’re going to have to soon.”
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 249
“He’s looking better,” Manc commented watching their son outside on the lawn in the growing darkness of dusk. “Good thing none of them are of the fae .”
“Amazing what a good season with rain will do to the insect population, isn’t it?” Allen responded. There was a gasp, “Are Lightning Bugs poisonous?” “Didn’t know he jump that high,” was said with awe.
“Well he is my son.”
“I’m going to get a glass jar. It’ll be interesting for him to see a Lightning Bug up close.”
Manc looked at Allen, “Like eating one isn’t up close….”
“Hush you.”
2 Lightning Bugs were captured. An event ignored by their son who was more intent on his own fun.
“You should really let them go soon. They’re out there to mate and produce the next generation.
You’re impeding next year’s Lightning Bug population.”
“Uhmmm. Too late.” Allen said looking into the jar.
“What?” Manc eyed his husband anxiously doubting his sanity.
“They’re.. um.. already attached.”
“You mean of all the Lightning Bugs in the backyard, you caught two compatible bugs who decided to mate with each other?”
“Yep,”
“Ooooookay.”
From inside the jar, “Oh baby, yes just like that,” had Manc and Allen look shocked at the jar and then each other.
“Wait a bit but put them outside before our kitten comes back in. I don’t think I’m ready to explain the facts of procreation yet.”
Allen glanced at Manc’s tummy and grinned. “We’re going to have to soon.”
Meep posted this over at Lj
May. 5th, 2017 09:21 pmI encourage you go read these. They are beyond cute.
Mog and co.
1 - Clean-up - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281777.html?thread=5516273#t5516273
2 - Lions - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1282274.html?thread=5518306#t5518306
3 - Coffee-love - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281947.html?thread=5518491#t5518491
4 - Fierce (sequel to Lions)- http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1282274.html?thread=5519330#t5519330
5 - Magic-Mugs (sequel to Coffee-love)- http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281947.html?view=5519771#t5519771
6 - Plots (part 3 of Coffee-love) - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281947.html?thread=5521051#t5521051
Mog and co.
1 - Clean-up - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281777.html?thread=5516273#t5516273
2 - Lions - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1282274.html?thread=5518306#t5518306
3 - Coffee-love - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281947.html?thread=5518491#t5518491
4 - Fierce (sequel to Lions)- http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1282274.html?thread=5519330#t5519330
5 - Magic-Mugs (sequel to Coffee-love)- http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281947.html?view=5519771#t5519771
6 - Plots (part 3 of Coffee-love) - http://charisstoma.livejournal.com/1281947.html?thread=5521051#t5521051
Mom is afraid of spiders and detests crickets, the latter she will beat to death with a flipflop. But she taught us how to catch bees and wasps and spiders using facial tissues and jars so we could release them out into the wild where they belong. She is not afraid of snakes.
Copperheads are a poisonous variety of snake. Early one cold morning while camping she came upon a curled up snake on the path to the campground restrooms. She picked it up, uncoiled it, marvelled at how beautiful it was then put it off the path and curled it up again. Cold snakes are sluggish so she didn't get bit.
Now she is in her nineties and has a walker and lives with my sister. During the time my sister is working there's a nice lady who comes in and helps her but there is a bit of time when she is able to be left alone without any problem. They have cats.
So while in the bathroom she notices a thin 4" black snake. She knew it was a mud snake, non-poisonous and rarely if ever would bite. She was worried for the snake in a house with cats. Unable to rescue the snake what does she do... I was on the phone with her when she told my sister what had happened. She's unable to get down to the floor and back by herself so... she calls 911. A very nice police officer came to the house and rescued the snake. My sister is hysterical with laughter with the occasional cries of, 'it's written up on the police blotter. Rescued snake from house.'
Copperheads are a poisonous variety of snake. Early one cold morning while camping she came upon a curled up snake on the path to the campground restrooms. She picked it up, uncoiled it, marvelled at how beautiful it was then put it off the path and curled it up again. Cold snakes are sluggish so she didn't get bit.
Now she is in her nineties and has a walker and lives with my sister. During the time my sister is working there's a nice lady who comes in and helps her but there is a bit of time when she is able to be left alone without any problem. They have cats.
So while in the bathroom she notices a thin 4" black snake. She knew it was a mud snake, non-poisonous and rarely if ever would bite. She was worried for the snake in a house with cats. Unable to rescue the snake what does she do... I was on the phone with her when she told my sister what had happened. She's unable to get down to the floor and back by herself so... she calls 911. A very nice police officer came to the house and rescued the snake. My sister is hysterical with laughter with the occasional cries of, 'it's written up on the police blotter. Rescued snake from house.'
Title: The Kitten in the Egg
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 459
“Pol the doctor is here to check the baby,” drew no reaction as Pol was in his brooding chicken state.
“It’s alright,” the doctor replied, “let’s just take a peek at the little one,” as he petted and then picked up Pol to reveal the kitten.
Holding his breath at how Pol would react, Grey relaxed as Pol verbalized his nervousness at the interruption of his childcare.
“This your first?” The doctor picked up the kitten to look it over then put it down close to Pol and watched the kitten crawl underneath his welcoming spread wings.
“Yes, I don’t think Pol quite knew what was entailed and then his chicken side kicked in once he laid the kitten’s egg.”
“I guess the real reason I called you is is the kitten healthy and how … um … feeding?”
The doctor looked at Pol, “hmm. Mind if I take a peek at your underside there Pol?” So saying the doctor lifted Pol again, stopping when it produced a squawk. It was obvious that there’d be no problem as the kitten had come up too, dangling, latched firmly onto Pol.
“Well that seems to be the answer to that question,” the doctor answered. “Pol evidently has nipples. We’ll wait until the feeding is done and then I’ll take a better look at the kitten and at Pol. How long has Pol been in his poultry shift? And how long ago did you say the egg hatched?”
“Pol shifted about 10 days ago and the kitten hatched yesterday. I wasn’t sure what to do. I thought once the egg hatched that Pol would change back to human form.”
“Well this is the first poultry feline combination I’ve been called to. We’ll give them a few more days. Kittens grow quickly and just the fact that he or she was able to crawl back under Pol says that soon the kitten won’t be as dependent on him. When that happens, Pol will probably spend more time out of his chicken form. For now it’s easier to take care of neonates in shifted form and Pol is following instinct,”
the doctor said in professional mode. “Is Pol eating well and what has he been given for food?”
When the answer was regular chicken feed, arrangements were made to have some high quality dry kitten food delivered that day.
“Kitten food is high in protein and calcium which will be good for Pol and improve the milk’s quality the kitten gets through him. ‘Fraid the determination of the kitten’s sex will probably have to wait until a few days from now when I come out to do a recheck. Kittens and chicks have the same problem, difficult to tell gender early on,” he laughed.
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FB3X Drabble Cascade #184 - 'apple'
Nov. 1st, 2016 05:30 pm
FB3X Drabble Cascades
Welcome to the FB3X Drabble Cascade, a weekly blog hop where we want you to share your drabbles, or flash fiction inspired by our word of the week. To join in, just post your piece to your blog/social media/website and add your link to the list with Title (Rating, Genre), e.g. A Little Bit of Fun (PG, Science Fiction) and then to perpetuate the cascade, add the list code to the bottom of your post :)
Title: The Halloween Costume (PG, Fantasy, series)
Continues from Class
prior Andy & Simon drabbles
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 100
There were lots of complements on Newt’s Halloween costume. Exclamations on how cute he was and how inventive his parents were to dress him as a worm poking his head from an apple. Of course the apple was actually a small pumpkin but Newt had grown and an apple wasn’t big enough anymore.
“I cuuuuuute,” Newt cooed wiggling in his bath water.
“Yes you were and are,” Andy agreed, “very cute.”
“Cute enough to nibble on,” Simon smiled though he was contemplating nibbling on a different fruit, more of a sensitive plum shaped fruit. Newt should fall asleep early tonight.
Continues with The Toy
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FB3X Drabble Cascade #169 - 'remark'
Jul. 12th, 2016 03:15 pmFB3X Drabble Cascades
Welcome to the FB3X Drabble Cascade, a weekly blog hop where we want you to share your drabbles, or flash fiction inspired by our word of the week. To join in, just post your piece to your blog/social media/website and add your link to the list with Title (Rating, Genre), e.g. A Little Bit of Fun (PG, Science Fiction) and then to perpetuate the cascade, add the list code to the bottom of your post :)
Title: The Spare Bedroom (G, m/m, Fantasy)
Andy & Simon drabbles
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 100
“Don’t ignore the elephant in the bedroom.’
“Snake. Not elephant,” was the calm reply. Simon turned a page.
“It’s a bloody big elephant.”
Placing a random envelope in his book again, Simon gave his complete attention to Andy and grinned.
“Aww, I’m not that big but I suppose considering where this snake goes you might think so.”
“Simon!”
“What is it, love?”
“Your parents are coming to visit and the only bedroom we’ve got extra is right next to ours.”
“We’ll need to be extra quiet then, won’t we? Besides they’re staying with my brother and he’s not pleased either.”
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Meridae's Ninja Fic
Apr. 28th, 2016 05:14 pmYes, Meri has gifted us with another Ninja Fic.
So look look look and go read
Dust plunny - literally. by Meridae.
So look look look and go read
Dust plunny - literally. by Meridae.
FB3X Drabblerotic 2016 - U is for Urchin
Apr. 21st, 2016 10:58 amShare your drabbles, or flash fiction inspired by our word of the day. To join in, just post your piece to your blog/social media/website and add your link to the list with Title (Rating, Genre), e.g. A Little Bit of Fun (PG, Science Fiction) and then to perpetuate the cascade, add the list code to the bottom of your post :)
Title: Spines,Like an Urchin (m/m, Familiars, series)
My Master list for Drabblerotic 2016. A to Z Challenge 2016
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 100
“I didn’t raise my son to be an urchin,” Anita muttered going about the kitchen and snapping at someone who happened to be trying to help. Andy was that frustrated and increasingly annoyed someone.
Andy did a quick glance down his clothing. No, nothing was raggedy. He might be a bit annoyed at his Mom’s machinations though; he’d refused to answer Simon's proposal with his mother playing gooseberry.
Arms slipped around him and Simon whispered, “my delicious eatable urchin; prickles and all. If you’re not ready to commit that’s okay, it’s enough you love me. Put your spines away, love.”
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Title: First Impressions part 3: As the Tummy Churns
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 306
part 2: The Juliet Stage
Link to the rest of the series
“Whad wong Jessie?” Minxy wanted to know peering around the slightly open door. “Your tummy got somethin wong wit it?”
Jessie groaned into the toilet bowl, leaning his cheek against the thankfully clean cold porcelain rim. “Yeah…. Something.”
“Minxy, don’t pester Jessie. He’s not feeling well and if he isn’t feeling better tomorrow morning I’m taking him to the doctor, no matter what he says about it.” Leon pushed the door open wider, “Got something that Dad says may help. Try a sip of this.” Encouraging Jessie to raise his head far enough to access the bendy straw stuck in the cup of pale green liquid.( Read more... )
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 306
part 2: The Juliet Stage
Link to the rest of the series
“Whad wong Jessie?” Minxy wanted to know peering around the slightly open door. “Your tummy got somethin wong wit it?”
Jessie groaned into the toilet bowl, leaning his cheek against the thankfully clean cold porcelain rim. “Yeah…. Something.”
“Minxy, don’t pester Jessie. He’s not feeling well and if he isn’t feeling better tomorrow morning I’m taking him to the doctor, no matter what he says about it.” Leon pushed the door open wider, “Got something that Dad says may help. Try a sip of this.” Encouraging Jessie to raise his head far enough to access the bendy straw stuck in the cup of pale green liquid.( Read more... )
LOTR inspired Wardrobe -- scenic
Feb. 10th, 2016 05:39 pm
Everyone needs a wardrobe to hide in or hide things in or be haunted.
In other news my daughter says that my 16 month old grandson hid his shoe in the wash machine (front loader) and locked Mommy out of the bathroom. NOW it's funny but at the time ... not so much. Told her it was his Daddy's side.
They've had a tiff, which is why they aren't one on top the other in a kitten pile, but not so badly that they are too far from each other.
Perhaps a irritable parent has taken the other kittens to the other side of the room and told these two to go to separate creases of the sofa until they can behave nicely towards each other and get along.
Other parent arrives, "Oh ho, once more into the crease." Which of course causes his mate to blush and frown repressively for two different reasons.
Title: Who’s That in the Bed
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 1130
“Poof. Could you come here a moment, please?”
Poof appeared hesitantly carrying the kitten in his mouth which probably was a well thought out maneuver on his part. It allowed for mumbling or not being able to talk at all if the question was going to be uncomfortable. Cormier was right behind him with a questioning look on his face.
Elert pointed into the Master bedroom at the bed and raised an eyebrow. Cormier took those few steps to see what was the issue and pulled in a breath turning to Poof.
“Please give me Stinky,” Cormier said. The kitten had graduated to a new name when he started drinking from a saucer and subsequent using the litter box. Cormier continued, “so that you can clearly explain this small person’s presence. You could be in big trouble taking a kitten that’s not yours out of the Crèche.”
“He’s not from the Crèche. He was outside the building hiding under some shrubbery and he was wet and cold and afraid,” Poof mumbled. “He followed me home,” he said more loudly as if to justify it.( Read more... )
Author: charisstoma
Word count: 1130
“Poof. Could you come here a moment, please?”
Poof appeared hesitantly carrying the kitten in his mouth which probably was a well thought out maneuver on his part. It allowed for mumbling or not being able to talk at all if the question was going to be uncomfortable. Cormier was right behind him with a questioning look on his face.
Elert pointed into the Master bedroom at the bed and raised an eyebrow. Cormier took those few steps to see what was the issue and pulled in a breath turning to Poof.
“Please give me Stinky,” Cormier said. The kitten had graduated to a new name when he started drinking from a saucer and subsequent using the litter box. Cormier continued, “so that you can clearly explain this small person’s presence. You could be in big trouble taking a kitten that’s not yours out of the Crèche.”
“He’s not from the Crèche. He was outside the building hiding under some shrubbery and he was wet and cold and afraid,” Poof mumbled. “He followed me home,” he said more loudly as if to justify it.( Read more... )
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